Dom Young contract: Sydney Roosters, Newcastle Knights haggle over transfer details

Dom Young’s proposed return to Newcastle has been put in jeopardy after it emerged the Knights and Sydney Roosters were unable to agree on payment terms.

Dom Young’s potential homecoming to Newcastle has hit a sudden road block as the Knights and Roosters struggle to come to agree on how much each side was willing to pay.

It is understood talks between the Knights and Roosters have broken day despite Young’s desire to return to Newcastle as early as this week. The Roosters gave Young permission to talk with rival clubs last week just 18 months into a four-year contract.

The Knights immediately registered their interest but those talks have now stalled with the clubs unable to agree to who pays what for the remainder of Young’s contract. He is on about $450,000 this year with the number growing to $500,000 for the remaining two years of his deal.

The Roosters and Knights are haggling over how much of Young’s contract both will pay.

Newcastle don’t believe they need to overpay while the Roosters are wanting more cap space cleared. As it stands the parties have been unable to come to a deal and unless either move there is real doubt if they will be able to get a contract done.

Young is set to play NSW Cup for the Roosters on Sunday with his future remaining unclear. He was dropped last week to reserve grade and while the NRL squad have the bye he is expected to turn out for the Roosters against Manly in Tamworth on Sunday in NSW Cup.

Both clubs have until June 30 to try and move Young before the mid-season transfer window closes. The move has become even more important for Newcastle given their winger Greg Marzhew is expected to miss at least four weeks with a knee injury. Marzhew failed to finish Friday’s game after picking up the injury during Newcastle’s loss to Gold Coast. That poor showing was further compounded by Marzhew and Leo Thompson (concussion) both to be unavailable to play the Eels on Friday night.

The Knights are interested in bringing Dom Young back to Newcastle.

Knights coach Adam O’Brien said he wanted Young to return to the club.

“Myself, the club, the community never wanted to lose Dom in the first place. If he wants to come home, everyone will have open arms,” O’Brien said last week. “I understand at the moment he is still a Rooster. If he wants to come home, that whole stadium and town will embrace him and I know the playing group will too.

“A couple of weeks ago I wasn’t thinking that we’re in a position where we potentially could get him back.

“But, you know, that’s the Roosters’ business, that’s what they do and how they do it is entirely on them.”

Aside from Young, the Roosters are also in discussions for Brandon Smith to leave and join South Sydney immediately.

Originally published as Dom Young contract: Sydney Roosters, Newcastle Knights haggle over transfer details